Dog warden service

Missing and stray dogs

Dog warden

Out of hours

Outside of these hours, you are advised to take the dog to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home (4 Battersea Park Rd, London SW8 4AA.) or to hold the dog at your address until the dog warden is back on duty.

Veterinary Surgeries - the dog warden can only collect stray dogs from veterinary centres between 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and only when the dog warden is available.

Please note: pet dogs in our custody can only be returned by the dog warden during working hours.

To discuss any dog related issues or request a call back from the dog warden, please call the Council’s main line on 020 8726 6000 to speak with one of our customer service advisers, who will pass the information onto the dog warden.

If your dog goes missing

If your dog goes missing, remember to:

Display posters in the area where your dog went missing, including a photo of the dog and your contact details.

Contact local vets to inform them that your dog is missing, or better still, take a poster to the vets to be displayed.

Dangerous dogs

To report a dangerous dog please call the Police on 101 or in the case of an emergency call 999. For more information on dangerous dogs, please see the leaflet on dangerous and banned dogs in the downloads section below.

Animal cruelty

If you suspect an animal is being subjected to any form of cruelty, please report it to the RSPCA, telephone 0300 123 4999.

Events

We hold a number of Community events throughout the year. New dates will be added soon.

Free microchipping

Free basic health check

Free health & training advice

£35 Dog neutering (see section below)

Neuter your dog for less

£35 neutering voucher available for dogs living in Croydon

To apply for a neutering voucher email doginfo@croydon.gov.uk and include your name, address, dogs name, age, breed and sex. All operations must be carried out by 31 December 2017 at a participating vet. To find your nearest participating vet call 0333 202 1148.

To apply for a neutering voucher or see a list of participating vets within the borough, email doginfo@croydon.gov.uk and include your name, address, dog’s name, age, breed and sex and the dog warden will contact you to discuss if you qualify for a low cost neutering voucher. In some circumstances we can provide a free neutering voucher.

Why neuter?

Neutering prevents unwanted pregnancies and the cost associated with a litter of puppies

It may help to prevent some behavioural issues such as scent marking, aggression and straying

Compulsory dog microchipping from 6 April 2016

Under the new law Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015, from 6 April, it became compulsory for all dogs over the age of 8 weeks to be fitted with microchips. If a dog without a microchip comes to the attention of Croydon Council, its keeper may be served with a notice requiring the dog to be microchipped, and may face criminal prosecution and a £500 fine. Keepers and breeders also have a responsibility to keep these details up-to-date.

Where can I get my dog microchipped?

We will be holding continued microchip events around the borough in partnership with the animal charity, Dogs Trust. Microchipping is free to all Croydon residents. Call 0208 726 6000 or email doginfo@croydon.gov.uk to schedule an appointment.

For more information on microchipping, including upcoming free microchipping events, please visit www.chipmydog.org.uk

Remember to update your details with the microchip company Pet Log, telephone 01296 336 579, if you change your phone number or move house.

Charges

If a dog is identifiable and returned to its owner same-day, they are charged £50.

If a dog is not returned to its owner same-day, it will be taken to kennels. The cost of this is £100 (£50 if microchipped with up to date owner details) and £15 for each day the dog stays in kennels.

There may be charges for vets’ fees and if the dog is not claimed within seven days, it becomes property of the kennel.

Microchipping is available to all owners of claimed, unchipped stray dogs and also advice on how to update personal details on the microchip database.

Collars and tags

Ensure your dog has a collar with an identity tag. Under The Control of Dogs Act 1992, every dog while in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar, plate or a tag. It is also helpful to the dog warden for the owner's home or mobile number to be displayed. If a dog is found in a public place without a collar/ tag with these details on, the dog's owner can be fined up to £5000!

Further information

For further information on dog rescues or how to adopt an unwanted stray, please contact the dog warden using the details below.